🍔 Best burger for like a gagillion years in a row apparently according to the all plaques at the entrance... the burger is for sure bussin' bussin'. I felt compelled to order it after seeing they've been voted best for years.
I ordered the burger as-is with no mods. It was tender, flavorful, and exactly what you would expect of a delicious burger. I'm not from the area so I have nothing to compare it to, but I would for sure frequent this establishment if it was local to me.
Burger was great. The street corn was phenomenal. The fries I tried of someone else's plate were super crispy and delish. Beer was cold.
As the icing on the cake, I got to watch someone being tussled by the local PD and arrested while I enjoyed my meal. It was like watching a live episode of cops .
Next time I'm in DC I'll go out of my way to eat here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter Roed
Nice place to eat instead of in the zoo itself. Nice selection of food and beer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nima Farshchi
I usually enjoy both this and other dukes experiences. Today was just depressing. Out of chicken sandwich. Out of fish and chips. Orders placed incorrectly by server (wrong item altogether) cook on burgers wrong, side of mustard forgotten. Just everything that could go wrong did. Not sure if there’s new management at this location but for a relatively quiet lunch they did a horrendous job compared to usual
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Kevin Johnston
incredibly convenient location right next to the zoo, we enjoyed the chicken tikka along with wings that were not too spicy and had a good Smoky flavor, and the reuben sandwich was good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oluwafemi Mora
Food was excellent, the service was really good. It's clean. Didn't gave the 5 ⭐️ just because I order a well done burger and it was towards medium rare. I never send back nothing to the kitchen, If I do I will not eat anything. Is a little pricey. Some sitting area outside and inside. My beverage was a little too sweet but I liked it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jimm Girdler (Slim)
Good food, friendly and efficient service and interesting atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Friya Haque
I was skeptical but their proper burger (medium rare patty) with runny egg is actually one of the best burgers I had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tabita Lienhard
We went while walking by after a hike. The food is absolutely jummy. It’a a little pricey, but I think that’s because of the vicinity to the zoo.. the service and ambiente are also top! We loved the bread with the avocado and the egg 🤩
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greg Owens
This place is worth going out of the zoo to eat and re-enter. The food was great, but service was out standing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aftynne E. Cheek
Food was delicious and service was quick. We came in after a trip to the zoo and the food and atmosphere were refreshing.
Prior to hitting the zoo we decided to grab some food. We thought Dukes Counter was a quick counter service, but were mistaken.
This is a sit down restaurant with primarily burgers and sandwiches. I had the Fired up chicken which was tasty.
Our server was great, and the food arrived promptly. It was a good choice for a quick meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Akua
Duke’s Counter is a delightful hidden gem, exuding an East London inspired energy right in the heart of Woodley Park, just across from the National Zoo. The moment you step in, quirky Asian-inspired décor takes over: bright colors, festive decorative accents, and even playful panda figures that spark curiosity and set a relaxed, uplifting tone .
The atmosphere is effortlessly cool. Whether you’re squeezing in a quick stop before exploring the Smithsonian Zoo or settling in for a leisurely midday break, you’ll find yourself drawn to linger. The decor’s joyful warmth creates a welcoming, communal vibe that perfectly complements the laid-back surroundings .
We sampled a solid mix of signature dishes: Cubano “Torta Milanesa”, Proper Burger, and hot wings. We enjoyed every bite.
Our visit was made exceptional by Liz, our server. From the moment we were seated, she was friendly and considerate, thoughtfully guiding us through the menu and offering helpful suggestions. Her timing was impeccable: attentive when needed, absent when not, everything felt smooth and effortless. Liz’s warm professionalism and genuine hospitality truly elevated our meal, making our experience feel extra special.
Duke’s Counter perfectly balances visual charm with solid, comfort‑food eats. It’s more than just a stop-off spot before the zoo, it’s a lively, friendly destination with bold flavors and a fun, casual vibe. Whether you're craving a hearty sandwich, the city's top burger, or just a chill place to hang, this spot is absolutely worth checking out. Highly recommended for locals and visitors alike!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janine Kent
After a hot day at the zoo, this place was a great choice! The drinks were quirky and delicious. The food was even better.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Michael M
Stopped in to Duke's Counter after spending half day wondering around the Zoo. The Connecticut location is conveniently located across the street from the Zoo entrance. We sat inside at the bar because it was a hot day and the AC was great. They do have a nice outdoor patio and indoor seating too. The service was good and the burger was delicious. The prices were reasonable too. This was a great find and I highly recommend it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
John Stewart
Dukes is overpriced but their sandwiches are elite.
Wish the ambiance was cooler like the original DuPont location, but this has been a great addition to the neighborhood. Cant believe it’s been here almost 9 years.
🍔 Best burger for like a gagillion years in a row apparently according to the all plaques at the entrance... the burger is for sure bussin' bussin'. I felt compelled to order it after seeing they've been voted best for years.
I ordered the burger as-is with no mods. It was tender, flavorful, and exactly what you would expect of a delicious burger. I'm not from the area so I have nothing to compare it to, but I would for sure frequent this establishment if it was local to me.
Burger was great. The street corn was phenomenal. The fries I tried of someone else's plate were super crispy and delish. Beer was cold.
As the icing on the cake, I got to watch someone being tussled by the local PD and arrested while I enjoyed my meal. It was like watching a live episode of cops .
Next time I'm in DC I'll go out of my way to eat here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice place to eat instead of in the zoo itself. Nice selection of food and beer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I usually enjoy both this and other dukes experiences. Today was just depressing. Out of chicken sandwich. Out of fish and chips. Orders placed incorrectly by server (wrong item altogether) cook on burgers wrong, side of mustard forgotten. Just everything that could go wrong did. Not sure if there’s new management at this location but for a relatively quiet lunch they did a horrendous job compared to usual
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
incredibly convenient location right next to the zoo, we enjoyed the chicken tikka along with wings that were not too spicy and had a good Smoky flavor, and the reuben sandwich was good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was excellent, the service was really good. It's clean. Didn't gave the 5 ⭐️ just because I order a well done burger and it was towards medium rare. I never send back nothing to the kitchen, If I do I will not eat anything. Is a little pricey. Some sitting area outside and inside. My beverage was a little too sweet but I liked it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Good food, friendly and efficient service and interesting atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was skeptical but their proper burger (medium rare patty) with runny egg is actually one of the best burgers I had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went while walking by after a hike. The food is absolutely jummy. It’a a little pricey, but I think that’s because of the vicinity to the zoo.. the service and ambiente are also top! We loved the bread with the avocado and the egg 🤩
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is worth going out of the zoo to eat and re-enter. The food was great, but service was out standing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was delicious and service was quick. We came in after a trip to the zoo and the food and atmosphere were refreshing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Prior to hitting the zoo we decided to grab some food. We thought Dukes Counter was a quick counter service, but were mistaken.
This is a sit down restaurant with primarily burgers and sandwiches. I had the Fired up chicken which was tasty.
Our server was great, and the food arrived promptly. It was a good choice for a quick meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Duke’s Counter is a delightful hidden gem, exuding an East London inspired energy right in the heart of Woodley Park, just across from the National Zoo. The moment you step in, quirky Asian-inspired décor takes over: bright colors, festive decorative accents, and even playful panda figures that spark curiosity and set a relaxed, uplifting tone .
The atmosphere is effortlessly cool. Whether you’re squeezing in a quick stop before exploring the Smithsonian Zoo or settling in for a leisurely midday break, you’ll find yourself drawn to linger. The decor’s joyful warmth creates a welcoming, communal vibe that perfectly complements the laid-back surroundings .
We sampled a solid mix of signature dishes: Cubano “Torta Milanesa”, Proper Burger, and hot wings. We enjoyed every bite.
Our visit was made exceptional by Liz, our server. From the moment we were seated, she was friendly and considerate, thoughtfully guiding us through the menu and offering helpful suggestions. Her timing was impeccable: attentive when needed, absent when not, everything felt smooth and effortless. Liz’s warm professionalism and genuine hospitality truly elevated our meal, making our experience feel extra special.
Duke’s Counter perfectly balances visual charm with solid, comfort‑food eats. It’s more than just a stop-off spot before the zoo, it’s a lively, friendly destination with bold flavors and a fun, casual vibe. Whether you're craving a hearty sandwich, the city's top burger, or just a chill place to hang, this spot is absolutely worth checking out. Highly recommended for locals and visitors alike!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
After a hot day at the zoo, this place was a great choice! The drinks were quirky and delicious. The food was even better.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Stopped in to Duke's Counter after spending half day wondering around the Zoo. The Connecticut location is conveniently located across the street from the Zoo entrance. We sat inside at the bar because it was a hot day and the AC was great. They do have a nice outdoor patio and indoor seating too. The service was good and the burger was delicious. The prices were reasonable too. This was a great find and I highly recommend it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Dukes is overpriced but their sandwiches are elite.
Wish the ambiance was cooler like the original DuPont location, but this has been a great addition to the neighborhood. Cant believe it’s been here almost 9 years.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Loading...